The stock market inched ahead, bidding to recover from Thursday's mild setback.

The Commerce Department approved exports to Iraq of $1.5 billion in equipment with potential military uses during the six years preceding Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. A partial list of the licenses obtained this week by the Associated Press show the items included emulsion explosives, nuclear power equipment, lasers, computer equipment, aircraft supplies and chemical materials.

Banks are required to give military reservists on active duty a break on interest rates, but several are going beyond the law by dropping interest charges and postponing payment deadlines.